'If you want to hit, then hit these deliveries with a straight bat': How Rishabh Pant scolded himself during his record-breaking century

There is never a dull moment with Rishabh Pant around, whether it is in his batting methods or antics at the crease. The fourth day of the ongoing Headingley test started in a similar fashion, and at one point, it barely seemed like he would survive the session, let alone get his second century of the game.

As it turned out, Pant paced himself well and entered the record books as the seventh Indian to dish out twin centuries in a Test match. He also became the first wicket-keeper batter from his country to achieve this feat.

The very first ball of the day that he faced had Pant charging down like a rampaging bull, trying a cross-batted swipe that he failed to connect. It wasn't far off from kissing the leg stump as it settled into the gloves of Jamie Smith. It was a marker from Pant that he was going to start the day in his natural style. The logic behind this madness was that he would be hitting with the wind on the leg side at that end, allowing him to potentially hit boundaries with relative ease.

However, with the ball doing just a bit off the pitch and the bounce not true, Pant's attempts weren't bearing fruit. He fell across to scoop once, and an inside edge saved him from being LBW then. England, unaware of the inside edge, even went for a review, but in vain. Then, Pant tried an audacious slog-sweep, only to get a big top-edge that flew well over the Smith and also fell wide of fine leg to reach the fence. It was a madcap phase where Pant looked like getting out any moment. Shortly, he settled down and then started to play like a monk, playing each ball on merit.

Amid this, there was a moment where he was seen talking to himself after attempting one of those audacious strokes. Talking to himself in Hindi, Pant was admonishing himself for the choice of shots. 

"It is a straight ball Rishabh! It is not necessary to do this, alright?  If you want to hit them hit with a straight bat off these deliveries. Unnecessarily trying to hit with the wind!" were Pant's words to himself. (translated from Hindi). 

It was more about a reality check to self than anything else. After that, it was a remarkably different Pant at the crease with a more calculated stint en route to a record-breaking milestone. 

There was the odd play-and-a-miss, and he also got a few edges, but in English conditions, you expect this to happen. What was important for Pant and India is that he put a price on his wicket without compromising on his style of play too much. It was the perfect balance of aggression and sensibility as he grinded the English bowlers in his style. Once he settled down, the shots began to flow and it tells you how much he thinks about his own game. The conversation that he had to himself, caught by the stump mic by the official broadcaster, is ample proof of it.

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